It’s fair to say the Indiana Fever are officially one of the must-watch teams this WNBA season. Sure, they had the spotlight last year too–drafting Iowa phenom Caitlin Clark was enough to draw attention. But this year? It feels different. The spotlight isn’t just about hype, it’s about hope. For the first time in years, Fever fans have a real reason to believe. Year 2 of Caitlin Clark brings the promise of more wins, more growth, and maybe–just maybe–a run at that elusive second championship. The last time they hoisted the trophy was back in 2012, and interestingly enough, current head coach Stephanie White was part of that title-winning staff. She knows what it takes. After a strong preseason and a roster that finally looks balanced, the Fever are primed for a big year. But here’s a thought–while all eyes are on Caitlin, is Stephanie White quietly being overlooked? Is she getting the respect she’s earned?

The Indiana Fever wrapped up an undeniably impressive preseason–three games, three wins. They took down the Mystics and the Dream, proving they can go toe-to-toe with quality opponents. But beyond the wins, what really stood out was the team’s depth. Players like Lexie Hull and Sophie Cunningham stepped up big time. Hull’s fourth-quarter takeover against the Dream and Cunningham’s dominance against the Mystics showed that this bench unit might be the real deal. And that’s huge for Caitlin Clark! She might not need to carry the offense for 40 minutes a night anymore. The support is finally there. But in all this excitement, one question lingers–are we overlooking the mastermind behind it all? Is Stephanie White’s role in building this squad and shaping its identity getting the credit it truly deserves?

Emma Baccellieri of Sports Illustrated brought up a great point during her appearance on The Ringer WNBA Show with Seerat Sohi. She said, “Steph White, who I think has the most exciting assignment among the coaches who switched this year… Why do I feel like people are not giving her enough credit for how tricky it is?”

And Emma is absolutely right. The Fever didn’t just tweak their roster—they underwent a complete overhaul this offseason. It all started at the top with a front-office shake-up. Amber Cox, a veteran WNBA executive, came in as the new Chief Operating Officer and General Manager. Her arrival hinted at a new era, and she didn’t waste time making bold moves. One of the biggest? Parting ways with head coach Christie Sides. Even though Sides helped guide the team back to the playoffs after an eight-year drought, the Fever decided to go in a different direction, bringing in Stephanie White.

Then came the big roster upgrades. The Fever wasted no time shoring up their defense, bringing in 2019 Defensive Player of the Year Natasha Howard and 6-time WNBA All-Star DeWanna Bonner. And they didn’t stop there. The backcourt got a boost too with the additions of seasoned guards like Sydney Colson and Sophie Cunningham. What stands out is how quickly Coach Stephanie White has managed to bring this group together.

Despite all the new faces and moving parts, she’s got them playing like legit championship contenders. But oddly enough, that hasn’t translated into the recognition she deserves–at least not yet. Fans and critics haven’t fully appreciated the job she’s done. That said, the regular season is right around the corner. And while preseason wins are promising, they don’t tell the whole story. If White can keep this momentum going and deliver on the promise, the flowers will surely follow. But make no mistake–Coach White’s eyes are firmly set on the prize. She hasn’t been shy about it either.

Caitlin Clark’s coach talks about the expectations ahead of the new season

Several sportsbooks now have the Indiana Fever with the second-best odds to win the WNBA title at +350–trailing only the reigning champions, the New York Liberty. That says a lot about the faith people have in this squad. With a revamped roster and serious depth, the belief is real. And if you ask Coach Stephanie White, she’s right there with them. She’s not backing down from the hype.

“Everybody who’s been a part of a team, everybody who’s won championships, everybody who’s been a part of growing something special, knows that a lot of things have to fall in line for you to win a championship. They do,” said the new head coach. “That’s why it’s so incredibly difficult. But we’re not shying away from the fact that we want to win a championship, that we want to position ourselves every single day to win a championship.”

With the new additions and the strong preseason showings, it’s clear that Coach Stephanie White has done an outstanding job getting this team to click. The chemistry looks good, the bench is stepping up, and the expectations are sky-high. Now the big question–can Caitlin Clark follow in Tamika Catchings’ footsteps and lead the Fever to their second championship? Only time will tell